Battle-Scarred, E-Rate Is Still Alive

Staff -- School Library Journal, 7/1/1998

It's been a rocky few weeks for the e-rate, the federal discount program to connect schools and libraries to the Internet. But the program has so far remained intact -- though with less money -- despite opposition from members of Congress and long-distance phone companies.

Under a new ruling by the Federal Communications Commission, instead of the $2.25 billion annual cap first set for the e-rate, the program will now dole out only $1.3 billion, and the money will be targeted to the neediest institutions. In addition, the initial funding cycle will be stretched form 12 to 18 months.

The e-rate is not out of the woods, however. Some members of Congress may still try to scuttle the program, said Lynne Bradley of the American Library Association's Washington office.